Protests Erupt in Venice Against Jeff Bezos' Wedding Amid Overtourism Fears

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Residents of Venice protest against the planned wedding of one of the wealthiest people in the world, Jeff Bezos, in their city. The reason is that the wedding is scheduled to take place during Venice's summer tourist season.

Amazon's founder and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, are set to have their dream wedding in the ancient city at the end of June.

The New York Times reported that on Friday night, June 13, 2025, representatives from various citizen groups gathered in a square near the Rialto Bridge. They agreed to hold a series of protests on June 26, 27, and 28, coinciding with when hundreds of guests are expected to arrive in the lagoon city to attend the lavish wedding.

Federica Toninello, a protest organizer, claimed to have received information that one of the venues to be visited is The Misericordia, a former charitable institution converted into an event space. "Bezos will never get to the Misericordia," she said firmly. "We will line the streets with our bodies, block the canals with lifesavers, dinghies and our boats," she said amid enthusiastic applause.

Overtourism in Venice

Residents protest because the wedding is seen to increase the number of tourists visiting the canal city. The city is currently experiencing overtourism, causing housing costs to rise, making it unaffordable for most regular Venetians to live in their city.

Their wedding coincides with the peak season in Venice. Tens of thousands of visitors come to the city every day. The city government has implemented controversial entry fees on weekends and holidays.

Protesters also express concerns that wedding logistics, including security for important guests, will further disrupt the lives of Venice's diminishing population.

Guests and Wedding Costs

The wedding guest list has not been made public, but Vogue reported some expected attendees include Katy Perry, several Kardashian family members, and Eva Longoria. All are friends of the bride-to-be. Meanwhile, TMZ reported that Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are also invited.

The wedding is reported to cost around US$21.5 million. Part of the expenses is for the fleet of water taxis. A water taxi driver who transports guests for weddings said he is booked to work from June 25 to June 30.

City officials stated that only 30 of the city's 280 water taxis have been booked. Since Venice is accustomed to hosting grand events, the organizers assured residents they would not be inconvenienced. Over 600 couples get married in Venice each year, and this is just another wedding, the official said in a statement.

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